Assistant Psychologist

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust; Taunton; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Taunton is seeking an Assistant Psychologist to join the Primary Care Mental Health team. In this role, you will deliver psychological support to adults with mental health issues, backed by a network of professionals. Ideally, candidates should have a psychology degree and relevant experience. This position offers flexible working options and access to a supportive community for professional development.

Benefits

Flexible working options

NHS pension scheme

Generous annual leave allowance

Blue Light Card discounts

Qualifications

• Experience working directly with vulnerable clients, particularly those with mental health issues.
• Ability to undertake planned psychological interventions.
• Must hold a driving license or access to transport.

Responsibilities

• Deliver psychological assessments and evaluations.
• Support Clinical Psychologists in psychological measures and risk assessments.
• Engage in clinical supervision and adhere to Trust policies.

Skills

Experience of working in community settings

Building therapeutic relationships

Compassionate care

Education

First degree in psychology

Eligibility for Graduate Membership of The BPS

Job description

We are seeking a motivated and compassionate Assistant Psychologist to join our Primary Care Mental Health team. This is a countywide role working primarily within primary care settings, with strong links into secondary care. You will work with adults of working age and older adults, delivering psychological support under the supervision of Clinical Psychologists.

This is an excellent opportunity for those looking to develop professionally across a broad range of psychological competencies. You will be part of a supportive network of Assistant Psychologists and engage with a variety of services including GPs, Talking Therapies, and voluntary organisations.

Main duties of the job

• Deliver psychological assessments, formulations, brief interventions, and evaluations.
• Work with individuals experiencing mild to moderate mental and emotional health issues.
• Support Clinical Psychologists in administering psychological measures and risk assessments.
• Develop therapeutic relationships with service users within professional boundaries.
• Communicate effectively with health professionals, voluntary sector colleagues, and peer support workers.
• Assist in service development projects and staff training initiatives.
• Maintain accurate electronic records and contribute to multidisciplinary meetings.
• Travel across Somerset to deliver services in various settings.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

• Undertake psychological assessments using structured interviews, rating scales, and self-report measures.
• Assist in formulating care plans and delivering brief psychological interventions (CBT, DBT, Structured Clinical Management).
• Access and interpret electronic patient records to support clinical decision-making.
• Provide compassionate care rooted in empathy, dignity, and respect.

Service Development & Research

• Support service improvement initiatives and contribute to evidence-based practice.
• Conduct literature reviews and data analysis to inform clinical work.
• Produce reports and summaries using IT and statistical tools.
• Build effective working relationships with primary and secondary care staff, operational managers, and voluntary sector colleagues.
• Share psychological insights across teams and agencies to enhance care delivery.

Professionalism & Supervision

• Engage in regular clinical supervision and reflective practice.
• Adhere to Trust policies and maintain high standards of professionalism.
• Demonstrate resilience and adaptability in emotionally demanding situations.

Administrative & Logistical Duties

• Prioritise workload and manage time effectively.
• Attend relevant meetings and contribute to team discussions.
• Travel independently across Somerset to meet service needs.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• First degree in psychology (first or upper second).
• Eligibility for Graduate Membership of The BPS.
• A further qualification in an appropriate subject

Experience

• Experience of working in community settings.
• Demonstrable experience of working directly with a vulnerable client group, including experience of working psychologically with people with mental health problems.
• Experience of undertaking planned psychological interventions with adults who are experiencing mental health problems.
• Experience of working with people with mild to moderate mental health problems.
• Experience of developing therapeutic relationships with people who can be hard to engage.

Additional Criteria

• Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service and willingness to drive to different locations across the county

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.